If You Aren't Using This Type of Exercise You Are Missing Out Big Time

New findings suggest that it pays to alternate short bursts of high-intensity exercise with gentle recovery during workout regimens at least once a week.

Although this alternating technique, called interval training, has existed for decades, a new study has confirmed that it can dramatically improve cardiovascular fitness and the body's fat-burning capabilities.

Researchers asked eight college-age men and women to sprint for 30 seconds, and then either stop or pedal gently for four minutes. After only two weeks of this interval training, 75 percent of them doubled their endurance.

A control group, which did not do any interval training, showed no improvement in endurance. The marked improvement in the interval training group was even more startling because the volunteers were already fairly fit.

Another study also showed that interval training enhances the body's ability to burn fat. Eight women in their early 20s were told to cycle for 10 sets of four minutes of hard riding, followed by two minutes of rest. After two weeks, the amount of fat burned in an hour of continuous moderate cycling increased by 36 percent, and their cardiovascular fitness improved by 13 percent.

For most of my life I have focused on endurance aerobic training. When I was competing in college and for the next 15 years, I used to do interval training, but since I haven't competed for over 15 years, I stopped those workouts.

However, I have become ever more impressed with the convincing evidence of the usefulness of this technique. There is abundant new scientific evidence, like this study, that clearly demonstrates there are enormous benefits to interval-type training.

Personally, I now only run once a week and so do sprint training combined with pull-ups, dips, and singles tennis whenever I can find someone to play with. I just love tennis because it is, without question, the most fun I have when I exercise, and it gives a great opportunity to move in so many different directions.

This was motivated by Al Sears, MD who reawakened me to the value of interval training with his take on it which is called the P.A.C.E. program.

I also recently started Russian kettlebell training, which is also a very short high-intensity, interval-type activity. DragonDoor is the organization that introduced Russian kettlebells and is where you can find out more about them.

I now firmly believe that although endurance cardio training is important, it really needs to be part of a more comprehensive program that includes short bursts of activity at very high intensity that is individualized for your specific fitness level.

The new evidence suggests that this may actually provide MORE protection against heart attacks than long durational aerobic type exercises.

Another major benefit of this approach is that it radically decreases the amount of time you spend exercising, while giving you even more benefits.

It would be wise to have clearance by your physician if you are not in good shape before embarking on a program like this. However, you could start simply by walking and progress at your own pace.

But this is a technique that should help nearly anyone who uses it.

The take-home message?

Don't rely solely on cardio. You will need to incorporate interval-type training along with strength training to develop a far more rounded and comprehensive exercise program.

You will be very pleased with the results and perhaps even more pleased with the free time you have if you have been a slave to hour-long cardio workouts.

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Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.